The signings of Earl Bennett and Miles Austin aren't spectacular, but do most certainly improve the '14 Browns prospects at WR.
Bennett is the anti-Little. He's been overshadowed by a couple of great ones in Chicago, so he hasn't had a lot of catches, but he gets open and is sure-handed. He has nice size to play outside, and unlike in Chicago, here he'll get his long-awaited opportunity to start.
This guy is and has generally stayed healthy, is only 27, and should win the possession role here. One former Chicago resident compared him to Brian Brennan: "Mister Third Down".
For you young whippersnappers, Brennan was the first, or one of the first slot recievers in the NFL. He didn't start, but was the third (inside) reciever on third down. Everybody knew what he was about, but they still couldn't stop him from moving the chains.
Bennett is much, much bigger than Brennan and won't have a problem playing outside/starting.
Miles Austin is just a calculated risk. He's still young, but has been injury-prone as hell (especially his hamstrings). History doesn't bode well for his health, but IF IF IF he can for once remain healthy, Ray Farmer just hit a home run. This guy makes big plays.
Interesting note: He was an undrafted free agent. I was going to say "like Charles Johnson" (Rodney Johnsonfield), except Johnson was drafted by the Packers.
Johnson has number one ability, and Austin isn't the default guy for obvious reasons. I feel confident that Pettine and Shanahan are not blockheads, and will let Johnson have his shot, even if Austin is healthy.
It's also possible he could knock Bennett back, because he can do all the underneath stuff as well.
Likewise, Gurley should get his shot at the possession role.
Aside from Johnson and Austin, there's nothing special here, but the odds of the Browns' having a respectable or even good Gordon-free WR corps just shot up, however these chips fall.
Charles Johnson: Watch this guy!
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